Runner Feedback After 2001 Event

Kevin Tiller "Given it was my first time as Race Director of this event I sometimes felt I was "flying blind" but at the end of the day I felt pretty pleased with the event and most people I spoke to did as well. However I am well aware that there are lots of things we could improve - so here's your opportunity for feedback - GOOD AND BAD - what did you like not like etc - what could we do to make it better ? How was the new route ? the aid ? The start ? The finish ? anything ? I am looking for feedback from first time "virgins" and the experienced old hands - so please add YOUR thoughts ..."
Darryl Chrisp Kevin A job well done. I enjoyed the new course and felt that most runners preferred the bush track to the road. I think that the bush track is more in keeping with the theme of the run. As usual the aid stations were fantastic and the showers at Caves House most welcome. Can you organise the same weather next year please? Why are there no pre-sales of t-shirts and singlets? I was lucky enough to buy a t-shirt at the start but many at the end could not get the size they wanted. The t-shirts have been of dubious quality for several years but this year seems better. Thanks for continuing the very high standard of organisation and putting on one of the best runs of the year.
John Lindsay Congratulations on an excellently organised Six Foot event. Despite my concerns about the hills at the end I'm unconvinced that it added anything to my time and it was definitely more in harmony with the race not to run on the road. I liked the staggered start with the mixing up of faster and slower runners in the two groups. The end result was considerably less congestion on the run down to Nellies Glen and also on the narrow track along the ridge before Cox River. The weather was great the support provided by the helpers outstanding and all up a great event.
Russell Hammond This was my second attempt at this race and enjoyed the day from start to finish even though my legs are screaming at me two days later. The event was well organised and the Bush Fire Brigade held the whole thing together - well done all. My only gripe was the 9 kms to go sign on the Black Range Road leading to the by-pass of Caves Road. They were really long kilometres and this wasn’t an illusion brought about by fatigue or pain as most runners I spoke thought it was a bit longer than stated. This year I took advantage of the return bus to the start and again a top service at a reasonable price. At the start the announcer did comment that we were to run through a World Heritage listed area but you wouldn’t know by the debris left behind by some runners. Empty polystyrene cups hundreds of metres from drink stations and discarded corn syrup sachets should be hung around some runner’s necks as a sign of their thoughtlessness. It’s a tough race but manners please. The revisions to eliminate all but one crossing of Caves Road is cautiously welcomed by me but are in keeping with the original intention of the event. It’s going to be hard to top this year and I wish the race organisers all the best for the next one.
Steve Some how you guys get better each Year! Yet another extremely well organised run. The fireies do an amazing job. Please pass on my sincere thanks to all those invloved. The new(?) course was great... much better the running on road that reflect the heat. Once again thanks for a great run. See you next year.
Thomas Schattovits Good job Kevin and all the bushies. The new course is a lot more interesting than the old one. I measured it with my tracker on the map at home. It isn't shorter it is exactly as long as the road because it is a lot more twisted. The 9km sign at the station before the turnoff is definitely wrong. It's 10.5 to 11 kms from there. I wanted to buy a t-shirt at the end but was told that they all sold out before the race. Can there be a second print run? For next year: can some t-shirts be kept for afterwards? Thanks again for a great race!
Martin Fryer I second John Lindsay's comments. I'm sure all the entrants appreciated the hard work yourself and Chris put into this race both on the day and well before it. The race Web page is exemplary in design and friendliness and should be studied by those that keep putting up ugly sites that are hard to navigate in. You also did well to organise some cool weather for a change - plus I was impressed with how you managed to fill up the Cox's river so that I had to wear my bum bag around my neck (while watching others swim freestyle across there). The new section that misses the road was much more interesting and is definitely more in the spirit of Australia's largest trail race. Good job - now go and get some sleep! My only negative comment (minor) was the bundling of gear bags transported to Jenolan Caves in piles of 100 with Black texta markings on green bags. It was hard with seizing legs to sort through these until I found my gear bag. To save yourself more work perhaps you could encourage people (in the race pack and directions) to bring with them some kind of bright sticky label to put on the garbage bags.
Rodney Long A big pat on the back to Kevin Tiller (and anyone else involved)for the great web-site and prompt information updates. This must be the best organised run I go to and it certainly remains a unique event. Congratulations to all fnishers and especially those PB-ers among my group of friends and training mates at AE Northside who revelled in the kinder - than - usual weather conditions.
John Frykberg Just a quick thank you to the organisers for a fantastic race. This was my first long distance run for many years (I did the Johannesburg marathon 25 years ago!) The encouragement and camaraderie along the way from experienced runners helped tremendously. It was good to have lots of friendly company up the never-ending climbs and the warnings of the treacherous long downhill near the end of the race. But successfully reaching the festive finish with new friends makes it all worthwhile...
Derek Foley Lesley and I have been the official timers of the Six Footer for a number of years now and would like to thank all of the participants and event organisers for their support. We have a couple of issues that we feel should be addressed and ask for your feedback.

Finish Photos. We accept that every finisher likes a photo of the magic moment and we make a concerted effort to give your supporters that opportunity however we feel that accurate timing and recording is our priority and because of the limited vision at the finish we often have to place ourselves in front of the photographers. We can hear their protests but hope that you agree recording your finish is much more important than stepping aside for another one of nearly 500 photos.

Age Categories. Over the years much has been said about the issue of age awards. In fact we agree that their should be category awards. The 6.F.T. is to most about completion of the event not competition but we appreciate that there are some who would like to add a more competitive nature to the race. We recommend the following: Open 1 2 and 3 then 1 2 and 3 in the following - u20 u30 u40 u50 u60 & 60+. To keep costs down age awards would be a finishers medal with the category and place engraved on the back. As there are now two starts the presentation would have to be after the outright awards to allow for the 15min adjustment. If you're prepared to wait through a longer presentation we have no problems with supplying the additional results to the race director. In addition if you are not prepared to wait for the presentation and that the event is an important fund raising event you shouldn't expect the organisers to milk the funds to pay for postage of your medal so they should be kept until the following year or you should make arrangements for delivery of your medal. Finally congratulations to all who finished your efforts and support is what makes the Six Foot Track the magnificent event that it is. We'll see you all again in 2002 if not before at one of many events that we are associated with.
Anne Powell Thank you very much to all member of the Fire Brigades who did an amazing Job. The staggered start works very well. The bush change at the end also works really well and would love to keep this in the future. Only disappointing feature was the litter left on the track by the runners. If you take squeezies in please please please take the wrappers out with you. Fabulous event. In my diary for next year. Web site is brilliant info is quick accurate and of great benefit. Great job!!!!
Les Bryce The staggered start certainly made the going easier at the start and avoiding the Road was a great improvement. My only suggestion for next year is some dredging of the Cox's River crossing ! We should not forget to thank the Caves House hotel for providing Hot showers at the end. Well done to everyone.
Peter Counsell As with the previous messages congratulations to the organisers the drink station people and in particular those who maintain the 6ft track. Particularly pleased that some funds will be set aside this year for maintenance of the track. Quite happy paying that little bit extra knowing that some money going towards this project. Really thought the new section is great. Can't understand what the fuss was about as this definitely improves the event. Thanks to Greg (Pony tail) for your company and tips during the first half. Carina hope you had a great finish. Will be back next year and this time I hope to extend my training to include a hill. In outback NSW my nearest hill is 350kms away. But then again after this years run I have had a gutful of hills for another 12 months! Thanks also to my rehydration support crew (Sorry about the confusion guys. I said a few drinks at the six foot track....not a few six packs at the six foot track!) One last thing the t-shirts? Yeah you need more. I'm involved in a couple of groups where we actually steered away from Tshirts in favour of collared polo style shirts with embroidered logos etc words in collar. More expensive but people seem prepared to pay the extra dollars for a top quality shirt. Anyway just 18 more feet to go before I get a buckle.
Dennis Williams I was a Six Foot virgin this year. I agree with all the superlatives about the organisation and the wonderful volunteers. There were many great memories including spectacular views clear streams dense forests friendly chats with other Six Footers walking up the steep slopes the cheers of the supporters the pride of finishing and more.
  The worst memories were of very painfully trying to stop myself falling down the precarious plummet to Caves House with thighs cursing me for not doing more downhill training. I agree with comments about the 9k sign it felt a lot more than 1.5 k to Caves Rd. Rubbish is a problem. May I suggest that extra rubbish bags be places say 50 or so meters past aid stations for those like me who like to walk and drink. I agree with comments made about the T Shirts. I was disappointed that I couldn't obtain one. This is a unique event. I am certain that many Six Footers would be prepared to pay a little extra for a more stylish polo shirt. May I suggest that use be made of the tremendous web site (I could not have prepare for the run without it)and a good scanner to help overcome the numbers problem. If sample shirts could be made well in advance they could be photographed (along with other garments)and scanned onto the website. Then orders for garments with payment could be forwarded by post to a strict deadline. This could be well ahead of the deadline for marathon entries. Despite the pain I felt and continue to feel I will definitley enter again next year. Oh what a feeling!
Susan Griffith Thanks Kevin and all your helpers. A great job. A few comments for the records. It was my 7th 6ft and whilst I felt the change of route was gentler on my joints for me it did add a few minutes (that wicked hill!). However the safety aspects for runners in any event is critical so the change is for the best. I like the wave starts and am glad I was in the 2nd wave. I think however some consideration should be given to fast runners for example men who have run sub 3 hour marathon and women sub 3:30 in last 12 months should be placed in first wave as it is likely they could be the winner but not cross the winning line first. When you get 3 runners within a few minutes of each other running 1st 2nd & 3rd there is really a 'race' on. The quick runners from the 2nd wave hadn't a clue where they were placed in the field. I know we had the 3rd place getter at JLL Melb. 2000 Brett Anderson in the second pack great credentials for a possible placing plus Damien and Simon Angus pretty handy runners and I can't forget Ken Read who runs for our club (runs like a gazel)! As one of 52 runners from the club Athletics East & AE Northside I am delighted to say 51 completed the event and most will be back again. Cheers a fantastic event and great weather too!
Brian Rensford 10th one; best course; 7 1/2 hours cutoff still needed not to cut out some very able plodders who were disappointed not to receive a medallion. Please make sure distance signs are accurate; better to have none than misleading ones for rookies. Thanks for such terrific catering on the hoof. Only disappointment - no free Cascade at the Pluviometer... One last question - could someone put on the website just who makes up the race management committee? No one we asked seemed to actually know. Well done fellas!
Gary McGregor My 1st 6FT - great race great organisation and great memories for the first 35km. I am loathe to make any suggestions given that organising 20 odd aid stations in the bush is a significant achievement. However a couple of suggestions:

(1) provide drinks at the 2.5km to go observation station (most marathons provide a station at 40km). I was desperately in need of a drink by this stage - the officials were kind enough to pour me a drink but it would be good to collect one on the run.

(2) agree with others - misleading distance indicators are heartbreaking late in a race

(3) some aid stations had a bin about 50m up the road for cups and wrappers etc - this was a good idea enabling runners to pick up aid on the run. If this practice was standardised at all drink stations and emphasised in race info - I think litter could be reduced.

Two final points. Please pass on my thank you to Caves House for the donation of the accomodation prize - I didn't realise at the time of the acceptance speech that this prize was donated. Congratulations to the 60 odd finishes from my club (the affiliation of Athletics East/ North Side and the BRATS)- The Legend Continues !
Cuts What a blast! Thanks to organisers and volunteers for a truly memorable event. I was a first timer and loved every minute (well almost) of it. I ran the Host City last year as my first serious distance event and never imagined I would experience that same elation ever again. Thanks to the Bushies crowd that offered plenty of advice and support particularly Simon (congrats on a great run!)who got me off the Christmas cheer and back into serious training. They told me this would be the start of a very long relationship and whilst I may be suffering a little right now I can't imagine not being back next year. The buzz from such events is amazing and it makes those lonely kilometers all worthwhile. Thanks.
Steve Holm Great race great organisation and it's even great to be able to give suggestions for improvements! Standing near the finish line for an hour I noticed quite a number of non-runner Jenolan Caves visitors strolling down that last set of steps with no idea they were in the way of runners doing the last 50 metres of a 46k mountain marathon. Officials tried to shout 'Runner Coming' but I saw a few panicky elderly folks wondering what was going on and at risk of being knocked over. Could something be done to either keep people off that part of the path for a few hours or at least have prominent signs plastic flags or something along the last say 150 metres? I agree with others about that '9k to go' sign - a bit of a letdown when I got to the Caves Road to be told still 7.5 left! Like the earlier writer I had trouble locating my numbered 'garbage bag' in the darkish room (a minor quibble in the scheme of things I guess!) What do others think about having two sets of 'timings' - one for first wave and one for second. i.e. two clocks running at the finish (15 mins apart) all the signs along the way to reflect two time cutoffs for first and second wave people? See you next year!
Ross Yates What a great run and a great boost for the RFB. They were all a great bunch along the route - and one young brigade person even told me a joke just before I hit the trail beside Caves Road. It's too hot to relate here but it kept me going. I'm 54 and this was my first run in many years - but I had trained hard for the event. I didn't think I could do it having never run for more than 4 hours before. But the spirit of the run its history and many runners along the route inspired me with their determination. At the beginning Max the Grim Reaper told me to take it easy. I took his advice and chatted happily with him and his brother at the finish. It was an emotional finish for me running down that narrow path to greet all those people. I thank you all Kevin Tiller the RFB and all those runners who unwittingly boosted my effort along that fabulous track. See you all next year. (Special Thanks to John(Rugby) and Trish(Brisbane) who accompanied me for a large part of the run)
Malcolm McDonald Thanks to the race organisers and the wonderful support team for providing me with such a memorable day. Having completed the event 6 years ago I had a fair idea of what to expect. Even though my training was not sufficient I was still able to complete the event and take home a great medal. The atmosphere excellent aid stations and supportive people were very much appreciated. To learn that the 9km post was incorrect was probably the most demoralising part of the day. Arriving at Caves House with just 50 seconds before 7 hours is a moment I won't forget! Hope to be back next year.
Sonia White Thanks once again to the race organisers and absolutely wonderful volunteers/bush fire brigade who make this run possible. This is my 3rd time back and each time I have enjoyed it more. The support from aid stations and comraderie amongst fellow runners whilst participating are second to none. As numerous others have commented the only improvements I think could be made would be to have better quality T/Shirts available - perhaps long sleeves or polo shirts and most importantly get that 9km to go sign corrected. Great race great people see you next year.
Chris Millman This was my first run thankyou to all the volunteers on the day. I trained hard for this run have walked the track a couple of times and new what to expect. But the unexpected happend and I didn't get to finish because I slipped twisted my ankle and hit my head. As the others have stated more rubbish bins at aid stations. Again well done everyone organisers Caves House volunters and runners. I will be attending again next year and I will expect the unexpected it is not going to defeat me.
Ian Paterson Congratulations and Thanks to the organisers and participants in making my first 6-Foot-Track a 'race to rememeber'.......having run many ultra runs (including a 100Miler in Cape Town South Africa) the 6-Foot-Track is a true test (both physical and mental) for the most hardened of runners.......WELL DONE to all those who took part see you next year (??) A special THANKS to those who manned the feeding stations along the way a job well done !!
Alan Bradley This was my Forth 6th foot run & my best beating my PB by 18 mins. The staggered start is a teriffic idea as I have run in both! 9ks to go sign was a problem the new section was great as running up & down that road in the heat of the day is not my idea of fun. Hats off to all of the organizers & helpers for a job well done!!!!!! A special thanks to Max the Grim Reaper who helped my wife Kim on her 1st attempt although she didn't make the whole distance your help was greatly appreciated
Judd McBurney "Awesome race. The new course was much better. It's a true mountain run now that it does not include a road section. I hope next years course is the same. The volunteers displayed the "Olympic Spirit" people thought had disappeared be in the Blue Mountains for next years race and you will see it still exists!"